[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20691-20692]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          NATO SUMMIT IN RIGA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cochair of the 
Congressional Croatian Caucus to draw attention to the upcoming NATO 
summit in Riga. One of the focuses of this summit will be the next 
round of possible NATO enlargement, scheduled to occur in 2008. Croatia 
should be at the top of the candidate list for membership into NATO and 
deserves an invitation for membership in 2008.
  Since achieving independence over a decade ago, Croatia has taken 
huge strides with democratic, economic and human rights reforms. They 
have been a key partner in the international community's efforts to 
build long-term support and stability in the Southeastern European 
region, and have been an active supporter of the global war against 
terrorism. Croatia fully recognizes the fundamental importance of 
sharing its visions of Euro-Atlantic integration with other countries 
in the region, and is prepared to be an example for developing 
democracies.
  Croatia has benefited greatly from the substantial investment already 
made by the United States in the region. This investment illustrates 
our belief that Croatia is a viable partner in promoting democratic 
ideals and peace-keeping efforts internationally. I was proud to help 
further solidify this support last year, with the passage of House 
Resolution 529, which recommended Croatia's integration into NATO.
  At the upcoming summit, NATO officials should be encouraged to 
definitively express their intentions to issue invitations for 
membership to qualified aspirant countries at the next summit in 2008, 
of which Croatia is at the top of the list. I wish to convey my strong 
support for the reform efforts being made in Croatia, and for an 
invitation to join NATO in the 2008 enlargement round. My congressional 
Croatian Caucus cochair, Congressman Peter Visclosky, and I have also 
sent letters to the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense 
encouraging the administration to express support for this goal.
  Finally, many individuals have worked very hard to see that this 
important invitation comes to fruition. I would like to especially 
thank Congressman Visclosky, the Embassy of Croatia, and the multitude 
of Croatian nationals and Croatian Americans who have been so committed 
to this cause. I would also like to enter into the Record a letter in 
support of Croatia's membership into NATO.

                                               National Federation


                                        of Croatian Americans,

                                               September 20, 2006.
     Hon. Condoleezza Rice,
     Secretary, Department of State,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Madam Secretary: The problems in our world today are 
     many and the issues you are currently addressing as the 
     leader of our diplomatic efforts, while on the right course, 
     are extremely challenging. However, I am pleased to point out 
     that one emerging bright spot in the problematic region of 
     Southeast Europe is The Republic of Croatia. Since winning 
     her independence ten years ago, Croatia has made great 
     strides along the path to full North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization (NATO) membership by implementing democratic 
     processes, upholding the rule of law, partnering with her 
     neighbors on human rights, remaining a consistent supporter 
     of the global war on terrorism, and demonstrating stable 
     leadership among the countries in that region. In addition, 
     Croatia has diligently pursued her responsibilities under 
     NATO's Membership Action Plan in adapting her military to the 
     interoperable and readily available needs of future NATO 
     strategies.
       The upcoming NATO meeting in Riga, Latvia, in November 2006 
     causes us to remember the great successes of this Alliance. 
     For almost sixty years no member of NATO has ever been 
     attacked, and all member nation-states have been blessed with 
     economic prosperity. This is a group to which The Republic of 
     Croatia aspires and to which she has earned the right to 
     belong. While the NATO meeting in Riga is scheduled to 
     discuss 2007 as a year of transformation, we must also 
     continue to focus on 2008, which is planned as the next year 
     for possible NATO enlargement. Croatia deserves to be at the 
     top of the list of countries qualifying as ready candidates 
     in the 2008 enlargement round. I write to you today to 
     request that Croatia's membership progress be discussed and 
     properly reviewed with regard to early full NATO membership 
     during the November Summit in Riga.
       Croatia's democratic, economic, and defensive progress was 
     recognized by the United States Congress late last year with 
     passage of H. Res. 529 and S. Res. 342, both of which 
     commended her and recommended that she be invited to join 
     NATO as a full member at the earliest possible date. In 
     addition, a delegation from the National Federation of 
     Croatian Americans (NFCA) recently met with key 
     representatives from both the U.S. State Department and the 
     National Security Council and received very positive reports 
     on Croatia's progress toward NATO membership and further 
     integration into other western-oriented multilateral 
     organizations. The NFCA will ensure that the Croatian 
     American community in the U.S. continues to support all of 
     these Congressional and Administration efforts, and we will 
     rally our ethnic community as required.
       The NFCA is very pleased with President Bush's recent 
     appointment of Mr. Robert A. Bradtke as the new U. S. 
     Ambassador to The Republic of Croatia. Mr. Bradtke's years of 
     service, particularly with his experiences in the last NATO 
     Enlargement, will serve him and the Croatian people well in 
     these history making years for the country. The NFCA will 
     also carry on its communication with Ambassador Bradtke to 
     assist in any way we can towards greater enhancement of the 
     relationship between the United States and The Republic of 
     Croatia. He understands the importance of NATO for Croatia 
     and is committed to reaching out to the Croatian people to 
     continue building enthusiasm for full NATO membership. Your 
     own support, in promoting the international progress of 
     Croatia, is critically important. The NFCA sincerely 
     appreciates your contributions and achievements in. these 
     difficult times for our country, and we ask that you support 
     inviting the friendly country of Croatia to join the NATO 
     Alliance in 2008.
       If I may be of personal assistance to you on this important 
     request regarding The Republic of Croatia's goal of full NATO 
     membership, please do not hesitate to contact me at your 
     first convenience. If our Government Relations OffIce may be 
     of direct assistance to you or your staff, Mr. Joe Foley may 
     also be contacted at the number below.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Edward A. Andrus,
                                                        President.

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